PM Modi Meets Bangladesh Leader Yunus At BIMSTEC In Thailand; First Meeting Since Hasina's Ouster

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Bangladesh interim government's chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand on Friday.

This was the two leaders' first meeting the since Yunus assumed power in Bangladesh following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Before the official meeting, the two state leaders were also seen seated next to each other at the BIMSTEC leaders’ dinner Thursday night.

PM Modi's meeting with Yunus came after the latter's controversial remark in Beijing involving seven northeastern states of India where he mentioned that the states are “landlocked” and Bangladesh capital Dhaka is the “only guardian of the ocean for all this region."

Since August 2024, the ties between the two neighboring states nosedived owing to differences over the alleged instances of violence targeting Hindu minorities in Bangladesh followed by India's decision to grant asylum to Sheikh Hasina.

Yunus' Remarks On 'Landlocked' Northeastern States

Sparking a political row amid the strained ties with India since 2024, Muhammad Yunus, the current chief adviser of Bangladesh's interim government, reportedly made a pitch to Beijing during his four-day China visit that surprisingly included India's seven northeastern states.

According to PTI, Yunus urged Xi Jinping-led China to extend its economic influence to Bangladesh, controversially mentioning that India라이브 바카라 northeastern states being landlocked could prove to be an opportunity.

“The seven states of India, the eastern part of India, are called the seven sisters. They are a landlocked region of India. They have no way to reach out to the ocean”, Yunus reportedly said.

He also encouraged Beijing to expand its economic influence in Bangladesh, calling the country the "only guardian of the ocean" in the region.

The Bangladesh leader's remarks raised many eyebrows as the growing influence of China on Bangladesh is considered a concern to India as the Bangladesh is of strategic importance to India.

These comments, made amid Bangladesh's signing of nine agreements with China and securing a $2.1 billion financial package, sparked a row, prompting leaders across party lines to condemn him.

Jaishankar's Reaction On Yunus' Remarks

Addressing the 20th BIMSTEC Ministerial Meeting in Bangkok, Jaishankar had said, “Our Northeast region in particular is emerging as a connectivity hub for the BIMSTEC, with a myriad network of roads, railways, waterways, grids and pipelines. The completion of the Trilateral Highway will connect India라이브 바카라 Northeast all the way to the Pacific Ocean, a veritable game-changer.”

“We are conscious that our cooperation and facilitation are an essential prerequisite for the smooth flow of goods, services and people in this larger geography,” he said, adding, “keeping this geo-strategic factor in mind, we have devoted increasing energies and attention to the strengthening of BIMSTEC in the last decade. We also believe that cooperation is an integrated outlook, not one subject to cherry picking.”

Modi's 'Mutual Sensitivity' Message To Bangladesh

Yunus' remarks came within days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his greetings to the neighbouring country on the occasion of Bangladesh's National Day on March 26 where he underscored the importance of strengthening the bilateral ties by working in mutual sensitivity.

Highlighting the historical significance of the 1971 Liberation War, PM Modi reiterated the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. While the prime minister in his letter asserted that India remained 'committed' to strengthening the ties even further, he also mentioned the significance of 'mutual sensitivity' in this relationship.

"I extend my felicitations to you and the people of Bangladesh on the occasion of the National Day of Bangladesh. This day stands as a testament to our shared history and sacrifices, which have laid the foundation of our bilateral partnership. The spirit of the Liberation War of Bangladesh continues to remain a guiding light for our relationship, which has flourished across multiple domains, bringing tangible benefits to our people," PM Modi said, as per media reports.